Australian Federal and Queensland ministers say UNESCO's draft decision to leave the Great Barrier Reef off its in-danger list is a strong endorsement of Australia's efforts to protect the natural wonder.

They expect the reef's health will improve on the back of a long-term sustainability plan, which bans the dumping at sea of dredge spoil and focuses on cleaning up water running onto the reef.

But conservationists say more needs to be done to protect the reef and the draft decision shouldn't be seen as a reprieve.

The UNESCO report notes that the overall outlook for the reef is "poor" and says Australia must submit a progress report by December 2016.

Queensland's Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Environment Minister Steven Miles said the report was an "overwhelming endorsement" of their conservation efforts.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt plans to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Hunt will fly to the Whitsundays this afternoon to visit the reef, hours after UNESCO released its draft ruling on the icon's status.

He says he's going to snorkel the reef "recognise that whatever we do, nature does it better".